A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Joy To The World (#19951225)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10).

When God became Man, and Jesus was born, true joy entered a world of sin and sadness. The Magi, who had been long anticipating the Savior’s coming, “rejoiced with exceeding great joy” when they saw the star standing over the young Child (Matthew 2:10). This is the first mention of “joy” in the New Testament.

The heavenly host also rejoiced as their angelic captain shared with the shepherds in the field at Bethlehem the “good tidings [that is, ‘the gospel’] of great joy.” The very gospel we are to preach is a gospel of exceeding joy, because we have a Savior to preach-Christ the Lord!

Although He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3), the Lord Jesus “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). He prepared His disciples for His coming death and their own subsequent sufferings for His name’s sake by conveying to them His own joy. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11). He prayed for them to the Father, “that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves” (John 17:13). He promised to answer prayers offered to the Father in His name “that your joy may be full” (John 16:24).

Thus it is that all who truly believe on Christ can testify with Peter that even though “now [we] see Him not, yet believing, [we] rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:. Even when suffering for Him, Christians know that “when His glory shall be revealed, [we] may be glad also with exceeding joy” (I Peter 4:13), for His word promises that He will “present [us] faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Much Yet To Do (#19951226)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed” (Joshua 13:1).

There is no set “retirement age” for the Christian, for there is always “yet very much land to be possessed.” Joshua had survived forty years in the wilderness, then led in the long hard conquest of Canaan, and was now at least 80 years of age. Not only was he “old and stricken in years,” but God even told him he was old! But instead of allowing him to settle down to enjoy a few retirement years in his hard-won new home, God merely sent Joshua out once again for still further conquests.

That must always be the case with those who love and serve the Lord. There is still much Scripture to study and learn, many people yet to reach with a gospel witness, many with whom to share God's love and comfort, much money yet to be earned to give to missions. Even those who must retire from active service, or become confined at home, still have much praying to accomplish.

No one who knows the redemptive love of Jesus Christ is ever too old to possess more “land” for the Lord. “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12–14).

Old age eventually comes to everyone who survives youth and middle age, but that does not mean it is time to quit. “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come” (Psalm 71:17,18). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Put To The Test All Things (#19951227)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21).

Many have quoted this verse as if it were a command to believe nothing unless it has been proven by careful demonstration or logic. But this is not the proper meaning of this verse, for it runs counter to Scripture’s grand theme of faith.

This is not to say, of course, that the Christian faith is unfounded, for it is validated time and again by science, history, logical argument, personal experience, etc. The apostles preached “that . . . which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (I John 1:1). Paul, in our text, insists instead that we “prove all things” in the sense of putting them to the test in order to demonstrate that they are Scripturally sound, in agreement with relevant Scriptural passages.

Our text must be considered in its context, for it follows the commands, “Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings”(I Thessalonians 5:19,20). It seems he is saying that while allowing the Holy Spirit to work freely, we should not blindly accept all spiritual manifestations, but test them in relation to result and Scriptural teaching. Note the similar teaching, “Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God” (I John 4:1).

Elsewhere we are encouraged to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove [or ascertain by trial] what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2). The will of God is a life wholly conformed to that of His dear Son and in unity with other believers. Such a life can only be known by experience “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Winds Of The World (#19951228)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to His circuits” (Ecclesiastes 1:6).

This is one of the Bible’s many scientific insights, long before the process was discovered in the modern science of meteorology. The basic circulation of the atmosphere (which generates the winds of the world) is “toward the south” near the ground, which then “turneth about unto the-north” aloft. The heated air near the equator expands and rises, then flows north to replace the colder, heavier air which has descended to the ground in the polar regions.

This simple north-south-north cycle is complicated, however, by the earth’s rotation. Further complexities are introduced by the different topographical features of the surface (oceans, mountains, etc.), but the end result is a general circulation of the whole atmosphere, which “whirleth about continually, and . . . returneth again according to His circuits.”

None of this was understood at all until very modern times, but this ancient verse in Ecclesiastes corresponds beautifully to modern science. In fact, it was not even known until recent times that air had weight, but the patriarch Job had noted about 4000 years ago that “He . . . seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds” (Job 28:24,25), and this fact is essential to the atmospheric circulation.

This is only one of many scientific principles implied in the Bible ages before men discovered them in their scientific research. In contrast, there are no demonstrable scientific errors in the Bible. This is not really surprising, for the same God who wrote the word made the world! In Jesus Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

He Is The Owner (#19951229)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But if a man be just . . . he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD” (Ezekiel 18:4,9).

What an awesome statement! The eternal Creator of all mankind asserting His ownership over each man’s soul to do with it what He deems proper.

What is the worth of one eternal soul created in the image of God? He is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. Indeed, the earth and all the galaxies are His, but there is something about a soul that is of far greater worth. A soul can choose, can worship its maker, and can reflect the very nature of God. Nothing else in all creation has these powers. Yet He owns all souls. He has unquestionable right to them, and they will never be taken away, for He has created them. Furthermore, their numbers are growing for He has given His subjects the command and power to reproduce. At each conception He supplies a newly created, eternal soul. Truly, His wealth is great!

How should we respond to His ownership? By obedience! By choosing to act according to His will as revealed in reason, our conscience, and in His written word, and in so doing ascribing to Him the glory due Him. We must jealously guard our affections, reserving the adulation which He deserves for Him alone. We must lovingly care for His creation, including the many fellow souls whom He brings across our paths.

Above all, we must avail ourselves of His gracious provision of mercy and forgiveness through the redemptive work of His Son, Jesus Christ. At that point, He performs another creative act, for “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [or creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Some Thoughts About Death (#19951230)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: . . . But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me” (II Samuel 12:22,23).

These verses have long been used to comfort parents whose child has died in infancy. “Of such” Christ said, “is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). But there are other inferences that can be drawn from these touching words of King David.

Note the irretrievability of the dead. No prayers or fasting can bring back one whom the Lord has called home. Once on the other side, there is no returning to attend to neglected duties. All of those things concerning our children, spouse, work, neighbors, country, that were our responsibility to do, will be forever left undone. There is no returning to recover lost opportunities. Opportunities to speak on behalf of our Lord, opportunities to avail ourselves of His grace, all are passed forever. How important it is to finish our work before we go.

Note also the certainty of our own fate. “It is appointed unto men once to die” (Hebrews 9:27). “For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person” (II Samuel 14:14). Yet, why do we live as if we were immortal?

Finally, note that there is reunion after death. This reunion we find in Scripture is spiritual, but we will be given a resurrected body when He returns. It is also a conscious reunion, for our spirits are eternal and although much is not revealed about the hereafter, we will recognize one another and our state there will be glorious.

May these thoughts of death be of benefit as we fulfill the mission of life. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Conclusion Of The Matter (#19951231)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

The spiritual life of Solomon can, to a great degree, be traced through his writings as recorded in the Bible. They are not straightforward history, but rather in a poetic style which reveal his inner thoughts throughout his life. At the beginning of his reign over Israel, he asked God for “an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad” (I Kings 3:9), and he subsequently became renowned for his wisdom (3:28; 4:29; etc.).

Unfortunately, as is well documented in Scripture, his thirst for human wisdom led him into apostasy, setting the stage for national apostasy and idolatry upon his death. The book of Ecclesiastes chronicles a series of experiments which he conducted in search for the highest human good, but each forced him to conclude that “all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 1:2, etc.); there is no humanly discernible pattern in the affairs of men. However, he concludes, life is the gift of God and should be enjoyed (3:13, etc.). Furthermore, he recognized the eventual judgment of God, and concluded it best to live in obedience to God’s commands (3:16,17; etc.).

Our text summarizes the entire book of Ecclesiastes. Here is the secret of human fulfillment (“the whole of man”). Noting that the word “duty” was added by the translators, this is why man is here. Note the two complementary commands, “fear God,” and “keep His commandments.”

A true reverence for God necessarily results in obedience to His commands. Wise Solomon knew it, and Christ and the New Testament writers reinforced it (John 14:15; I John 5:2; etc.). Life’s harsh realities and seeming paradoxes are at times incomprehensible to us. Only by adopting a proper attitude toward life and God can we cope. JDM

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A New Year--��s Resolution (#19960101)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:2).

When Paul first entered the Greek city of Corinth, he had just come from nearby Athens and his encounter with its humanistic philosophers at Mars’ Hill (Acts 17:18–18:1). Corinth, like Athens, was saturated with such worldly wisdom and, in addition, as a great seaport and commercial center, was a city of opulent immorality.

The apostle, however, did not yield to the natural temptation to impress the Corinthians with his own wisdom. Neither did he come to Corinth to harangue them about the city’s wickedness. “For Christ sent me,” he said, “to preach the gospel.” Therefore he could say: “My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, . . . That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:17; 2:4,5).

The gospel which Paul preached was based on the assumption of creation by Christ (note Colossians 1:16,23), and then centered on the substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection of that Creator (I Corinthians 15:3,4), in anticipation of its glorious consummation at His return (Colossians 1:20). Though Paul did not speak in terms of the evolutionistic wisdom of the Greek philosophers, he did speak the true wisdom, “Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:.

Paul’s resolution simply to preach Christ-the Lord of all true wisdom and power and glory-and then to tell lost sinners that He had died for them and conquered death for them, is surely a good resolution for every believing Christian to make upon beginning a new year or a new ministry. It is that message-and only that message-that brings salvation and everlasting life. HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Mega-Storm: Mega-Calm: Mega-Fear (#19960102)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:40).

There are times in our lives that the intensity of life’s pressures brings about an intensity of fear. Christ desires to use these circumstances to bring about an intensity of faith.

The life circumstance in which the disciples found themselves was quite serious-a sudden, intense storm on the Sea of Galilee. Many of the disciples were experienced fishermen, quite familiar with this lake and its sudden, violent storms, yet this storm was a “great [the Greek word is megas or mega] storm of wind” (v.37), and the ship was filled with water, about to sink.

There were two possible reactions. They had been with Christ for two years or so and had seen many manifestations of His divine power and knew of His divine, unfailing mission. Peace, an assurance that God would care for them, should have been their response, but they chose to panic instead. In all likelihood, we would have panicked also, as we usually do when in even lesser danger.

They awakened Christ, informing Him that He (the eternal Creator) was about to perish. Christ, who in His flesh was no doubt extremely tired, arose from His sleep and addressed the storm. “Hush,” He said (better translation than “peace”), “be still,” or calm, perhaps so He could go back to sleep (v.39). The result? A “great [or mega] calm” prevailed, the waves were immediately still, the wind was intensely quiet, and the disciples “feared exceedingly” (v.41), or better, “mega fear” possessed them.

As Christ lay back down to sleep, He spoke the words in our text, and He speaks them to us today. The exhibit of His power in Scripture and in our own experience should overwhelm our fear with faith. “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Whole Law (#19960103)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 18:5).

The absolute holiness of God is emphasized throughout the book of Leviticus, and this is the standard for all those created in His image. This is made clear, beyond question, when the text above is quoted in the New Testament: "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them" (Galatians 3:11,12).

It is not enough that a man keep most of God' laws. "or whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all"(James 2:10). "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Galatians 3:10).

It is obvious, therefore, that while “the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12), no human being (except Jesus Christ) has ever been able to keep God’s perfect law, and all are therefore under God’s condemnation. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).

The widespread delusion that a person can be saved by good works is dangerous, and many are on the road to hell smug in their supposed goodness. To keep the law, however, the Creator Himself had to become man, and He did fulfill the law as our representative before God. Then, when He died, Christ “redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). “Now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested . . . by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:21,22). HMM

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A Cloud Of Witnesses (#19960104)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

In the famous “faith chapter” (Hebrews 11) which immediately precedes this verse, there are sixteen great “heroes of faith” mentioned by name, in addition to many, many others not named-all of whom had successfully “finished [their] course” (II Timothy 4:7), running the race of faith, as it were, in ages past. God had enabled them all to “obtain a good report through faith” (Hebrews 11:39). Here the Greek for “report” is closely related to that for “witness.” Evidently all who had gone before these had witnessed their race and had been able to give a good witness, or report, concerning them. Today, there are so many who have gone before us into heaven, they have become like a great “cloud of witnesses” watching our race and hoping to give a good witness concerning us, as well.

This cloud above us is obviously being compared to the audience at the Greek games-watching the runners below them striving for the prize. Although some question this metaphor, it does seem, from the whole context, that those who have successfully run the race before us are somehow cheering us on, hoping to witness the triumphant conclusion of our race, too.

Our loved ones in heaven are neither omniscient nor omnipresent, of course, for they are far up in heaven with the Lord. Nevertheless, we can believe that they have access to information concerning us, perhaps through angelic messengers, and that their love for us continues in heaven even more deeply and knowledgeably than on earth, encouraging us also to finish our own course with a good report through faith. HMM

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The Rivers And The Sea (#19960105)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again” (Ecclesiastes 1:7).

As the ancients observed the mighty Nile and Euphrates and other great rivers flowing into the ocean, they could not help but wonder why the sea level never rose. They knew that many of the waters in the rivers came from rainfall, especially during floods, but they had only quaint notions, at best, as to where the rains originated. Not until the days of modern science did men discover that rainfall actually comes from the oceans via evaporation and atmospheric transportation.

But the Bible writers somehow seemed to know about the true nature of the hydrologic cycle thousands of years in advance of modern science. The rivers come from the same place to which they return-that is, the sea.

But how do the waters of the sea ever rise into the sky? “He maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapor thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distill upon man abundantly” (Job 36:27,28). Water droplets are made very small by the process of evaporation so they can be carried aloft by the uprushing air forces over warm waters; later they “distill upon man abundantly.”

There are other references in Scripture to different phases of this great hydrologic cycle, but one of the most significant is Isaiah 55:10,11: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth. . . . So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please.” The waters return to the skies only after doing their good work on the lands. Just so, the lifegiving word of God returns to Him, not void, but full of the spiritual fruit for which He sent it. HMM

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Prerequisites For Christian Unity (#19960106)
by John Morris, Ph.D.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1,2).

Churches haven’t changed much in 2000 years. The call to unity in these verses is as needed now as it has always been. Let us examine the prerequisites for unity found here.

    Consolation in Christ: The Greek word translated consolation is frequently translated exhortation, and that seems appropriate here. The “exhortation in Christ” immediately follows this passage where His beautiful life of humility becomes the exhortation to unity among believers, since disunity ultimately comes from pride (v.3).

    Comfort of love: Comfort could be rendered “encouragement,” implying a tender act of incentive. The agape love which the Holy Spirit produces in the life of a believer produces the incentive to unity. If believers truly loved one another in this fashion, love would prevail.

    Fellowship of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit makes possible a precious relationship between believers. Through the Spirit’s empowering, our wills can be molded into Christlikeness, enabling us to live in unity with our fellow saints.

    Bowels and mercies: In the western world, the heart is referred to as the seat of our innermost affections, here called “mercies,” or, literally, “compassionate yearnings and actions.” When Christians have tender compassions for one another, divisions cease.

The four prerequisites for unity are then Christ-like humility, Spirit-produced agape love, a yielding of the will of each believer to the Spirit, and tenderheartedness toward one another. May God grant that “they will know we are Christians by our love.” JDM

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Wise In Our Own Conceit (#19960107)
by Henry Morris, Ph.D.

“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

This ironic and biting phrase, “wise in thine own eyes,” occurs seven times in the Bible-five times in Proverbs, twice in Romans. The first occurrence is in our text. Its message always is one of sharp rebuke to anyone who would “think of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3). This unpleasant characteristic is one we readily associate with other people rather than ourselves, but it is a sin into which all of us can easily fall when we start criticizing others or complaining about how we are treated.

Note the other occurrences. “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. . . . Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. . . . The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason” (Proverbs 26:5,12,16). Therefore, God regards not merely boastful men, but also foolish men and lazy men as “wise in their own conceit.” But note also Proverbs 28:11: “The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.”

The two New Testament occurrences relate to racism and status-seeking, respectively. “For I would not, [Gentile] brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in” (Romans 11:25). Lastly, and importantly: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits” (Romans 12:16).

Pride of position, or intelligence, or race, or status, or wealth, as well as laziness and foolishness-all constitute ungodly conceit, and should be corrected. HMM

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Without Ceasing (#19960108)
by Connie J. Horn

“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

Paul the apostle is admired by many and rightly so, for his example is such that he could say: "Brethren, be followers together of me" (Philippians 3:17). There is an intensity about Paul's life that finds its expression in his letters in the phrase, "without ceasing." One could say "without ceasing" described both his preaching and his persecutors' torment. When we study the occurrences of this phrase, an important truth emerges about the basis of Paul's ministry.

"I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day" (II Timothy 1:3). "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15,16). "For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" (Colossians 1:9). "For God is my witness . . . That without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers" (Romans 1:9). Three times in Thessalonians Paul speaks of this ceaseless prayer life-twice in reference to his own prayers (I Thessalonians 1:3; 2:13), and then in reference to ours: "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). Paul had learned the lesson of Luke 18:1: "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." When Paul pleaded, "Brethren, pray for us" (I Thessalonians 5:25), he had asked for hard work and sacrifice (for that is what earnest prayer entails), and he had asked for that which is the most important. CJH